Kiss Me Once
Kiss Me Once is the twelfth studio album by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue, released on 14 March 2014 by Parlophone Records.[1][2] It represents Minogue's return to contemporary dance-pop after the orchestral covers collection The Abbey Road Sessions (2012) and serves as her first album of original material since Aphrodite in 2010.[1][3] The album was primarily recorded in Los Angeles and London, featuring contributions from a range of high-profile producers and songwriters, including Pharrell Williams, Sia Furler, MNEK, and Cutfather.[4][2] Tracks such as "Million Miles" and "Sexy Love" highlight its upbeat, electronic sound, blending synth-pop with house influences.[3] Minogue described the project as a "re-energizing" effort, emphasizing fun and empowerment themes.[5] Promotion began with the lead single "Into the Blue," released on 28 January 2014, which peaked at number 46 on the Australian Singles Chart and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] Follow-up singles included "I Was Gonna Cancel" and the duet "Beautiful" with Enrique Iglesias, both released to support the album's dance-oriented rollout.[2] A special edition added remixes and bonus tracks, while Minogue embarked on the Kiss Me Once Tour later in 2014, performing across Asia, Europe, and Australia to over 200,000 attendees.[1] Commercially, Kiss Me Once debuted at number one on the Australian Albums Chart and number two on the UK Albums Chart, where it spent 12 weeks in the top 100 and earned a gold certification for 100,000 units.[6][7] It also reached number 24 on the US Billboard 200, marking Minogue's highest charting album there since 2002.[7] Globally, the album appeared on 17 national charts for a total of 74 weeks.[7] Critics gave Kiss Me Once generally positive reviews, praising its glossy production and infectious energy as a return to Minogue's pop roots, though some noted a lack of innovation compared to her earlier work.[8][9] Aggregated scores averaged around 63 out of 100, with outlets like The Guardian calling it a "superior brand of bubblegum."[10][8]Development
Background
Following the Aphrodite Les Folies Tour, which concluded in May 2011 to support her 2010 album Aphrodite, Kylie Minogue entered a period of hiatus from major new music endeavors, spanning approximately two years amid personal life changes, including supporting her mother through breast cancer treatment.[11] This break allowed her to recharge after over two decades in the industry, during which she had navigated significant health challenges earlier in her career, including breast cancer treatment in 2005.[12] In 2012, Minogue signaled her return through smaller-scale projects like the intimate Anti-Tour and the orchestral compilation The Abbey Road Sessions, but her full comeback to studio album production was announced in early 2013 when she signed a management deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation, specifically targeting expansion in the US market.[13][5] The initial concept for Kiss Me Once emerged as a vibrant, "fun, empowering" pop album intended to reinvigorate her sound, drawing inspiration from high-energy live performance experiences that reignited her passion for music.[11] Minogue shared that the project represented a fresh start, stating, "I needed a new landscape," and describing the album as "fun, it’s empowering, it’s a kiss of life" to recapture the joy of creation after her time away.[11] This approach transitioned into production with collaborators like Sia Furler and Pharrell Williams, emphasizing an upbeat, life-affirming vibe.[11]Production and recording
Minogue began initial recording sessions for Kiss Me Once in January 2012, working in studios in London and Los Angeles. Over the following months, she collaborated with producers including Stargate, Darkchild, will.i.am, and MNDR. In 2013, after signing with Roc Nation, production intensified with additional contributors such as Sia Furler, who served as executive producer, Pharrell Williams, MNEK, Cutfather, and Greg Kurstin.[11] Sessions took place in Los Angeles (including Westlake Recording Studios in Santa Monica and Conway Studios), New York City, and London (Metropolis Studios). Some tracks originated from earlier sessions intended for Aphrodite, which Minogue and Sia reworked, categorizing songs into "pure pop," "dancy-urban," and "indie" styles to create a diverse yet cohesive album. Minogue was heavily involved in the creative process, selecting tracks and contributing to lyrics, while navigating the transition to a new management team. In February 2014, she confirmed the album's completion, praising Sia's role in shaping its empowering tone.[11]Composition
Musical style
Kiss Me Once is primarily a dance-pop and electropop album, incorporating elements of disco, EDM, and R&B throughout its tracks.[8][14] The record draws influences from 1980s synth-pop, reminiscent of Minogue's early career, while integrating contemporary production styles from collaborators like Pharrell Williams, whose funky beats add a modern disco flair to several songs.[15][8] This blend creates a polished, radio-friendly sound characterized by heavy use of electronic synthesizers, auto-tune on vocals, layered harmonies, and sleek mixes that emphasize upbeat rhythms and melodic hooks.[8][14] The album's sonic palette varies across its tracks, showcasing an eclectic yet cohesive approach to pop music. For instance, the lead single "Into the Blue" exemplifies upbeat, synth-driven dance-pop with fresh, pulsating beats and soaring vocals that evoke a sense of liberation.[15] In contrast, "If Only" adopts a mid-tempo ballad structure, featuring dreamy layered vocals over mellow synths and subtle rock-inflected elements for a more introspective feel.[15] Tracks like "Sexercize" lean into club-oriented EDM, utilizing humming bass lines reminiscent of dubstep and electro-pop grooves to deliver a seductive, high-energy vibe suitable for dance floors.[14][15] Production techniques further enhance the album's effervescent quality, with sci-fi electronics, warped vocal samples, and glossy AOR melodies creating a futuristic yet nostalgic atmosphere.[8] Pharrell's contributions, such as on "I Was Gonna Cancel," introduce MIDI funk and disco bells inspired by recent trends like Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, blending 1970s Studio 54 vibes with 2010s polish.[14][8] Overall, these elements position Kiss Me Once as a vibrant return to Minogue's dance roots, prioritizing catchy, empowering anthems over experimental depth.[14]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics of Kiss Me Once predominantly explore themes of love, self-empowerment, recovery from heartbreak, and hedonistic enjoyment, reflecting a journey from vulnerability to renewed vitality.[16] The title track, co-written by Sia Furler and Dsign Music, serves as a bold seduction anthem, portraying romance as a triumphant force that overcomes adversity with lines like "We'll win the war" and emphasizing mutual perseverance in passion.[16] Similarly, "Sexercise," also co-authored by Furler, embraces playful eroticism and physical intimacy as sources of fun and liberation, aligning with the album's lighter, indulgent side.[17] A narrative arc emerges across the tracks, progressing from introspective healing to assertive confidence. The lead single "Into the Blue," penned by Jacob Kasher Hindlin and others, captures post-breakup resilience with imagery of solitude and independence, as Minogue sings of paving a lonely path yet finding freedom in it; she noted that the lyrics, though not her own, deeply resonated with her personal experiences of moving forward alone.[18] This evolves into more celebratory empowerment on tracks like "Million Miles," where co-writer Chelcee Grimes contributes verses about emotional distance in relationships but underscores a persistent heartbeat of self-assured love and connection.[19] Minogue herself co-wrote several songs, including "Fine" with Karen Poole and Chris Loco, which delivers an uplifting mantra of optimism amid challenges, reinforcing the album's shift toward hedonistic fun and emotional recovery.[16] Subtle references to Minogue's own life infuse the lyrics with authenticity, particularly nods to her recent breakup with a long-term partner she once viewed as "the one," which left her anticipating public narratives of romantic misfortune but instead fueled themes of rebounding strength and solo fulfillment.[20] Overall, the songwriting—bolstered by collaborators like Furler as executive producer and Poole—crafts a cohesive portrayal of love's complexities without overt autobiography, blending vulnerability with defiant joy.[16]Release and artwork
Packaging
The packaging of Kiss Me Once centers on a sensual and intimate aesthetic, with the cover art photographed by William Baker depicting Minogue with her eyes closed, red lips approaching a rain-streaked pane of glass against a dark background, evoking glamour and a moment of poised anticipation.[5][21] The graphic design, created by Adjective Noun, features a handwritten title in lipstick style, tying into the album's titular motif.[22] The interior booklet contains a series of photographs by William Baker showcasing Minogue in varied poses and outfits that highlight bold, feminine aesthetics with a glamorous edge, accompanied by liner notes that credit key collaborators such as executive producers Kylie Minogue and Sia, along with songwriters and producers.[22][3] This design extends the "kiss" theme through recurring lip imagery and a palette of vibrant reds and blacks, reinforcing an overall vibe of empowerment and sensuality that aligns with the album's pop motifs.[23] Special editions introduce variations in presentation, such as the limited numbered box set, a deluxe red silk cloth-bound and debossed package containing double vinyl LPs in individual picture sleeves and a CD with bonus tracks housed in a card sleeve.[24] The deluxe edition combines the CD with a bonus DVD in a gatefold format, while some regional releases, like the Japanese version, utilize digipak packaging with expanded booklets featuring additional photos and lyric inserts.[25] The album was available in standard jewel case CD and vinyl formats alongside these variants.[3]Release formats and dates
Kiss Me Once was released on 14 March 2014 in the United Kingdom and Europe by Parlophone in association with Roc Nation.[3] In the United States, the album followed on 18 March 2014 through the same labels. Digital pre-orders became available from February 2014, coinciding with the lead single "Into the Blue". The album was issued in multiple formats, including standard and deluxe physical editions, digital downloads, and limited-edition vinyl. The standard edition CD featured 11 tracks and was priced at approximately £10–12 in the UK.[25] The deluxe CD edition expanded to 13 tracks, incorporating bonus songs "Mr. President" and "Sleeping with the Enemy", and included a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes content and the "Into the Blue" music video; this version retailed for around £13–15.[26] Digital downloads mirrored these editions via platforms like iTunes, with pre-order incentives. A limited-edition vinyl box set, housed in a deluxe red silk-bound package, contained a double LP of the standard album across individual picture sleeves, plus a CD with the two deluxe bonus tracks and a digital download code; 3,500 numbered copies were produced and released on 17 March 2014 in the UK.[24] Regional variations included the Japanese standard edition CD, which added the exclusive bonus track "Sparks" as track 14, released on 19 March 2014 via Warner Music Japan.[27] In 2015, following the Kiss Me Once Tour, a tour-linked live edition titled Kiss Me Once Live at the SSE Hydro was issued on 23 March, featuring 27 live recordings from the Glasgow performance on CD, Blu-ray, and digital formats through Parlophone.[28] No significant release delays occurred across regions, though physical stock varied by market availability.| Format | Edition | Key Features | Release Date | Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD | Standard | 11 tracks | 14 March 2014 | UK/Europe, Australia |
| CD + DVD | Deluxe | 13 tracks + bonus video content | 17 March 2014 | Worldwide |
| Digital Download | Standard/Deluxe | 11/13 tracks; pre-order incentives | 14 March 2014 | Worldwide |
| Double LP + CD Box Set | Limited Vinyl | 11 tracks on vinyl; bonus CD tracks; numbered to 3,500 | 17 March 2014 | UK/Europe |
| CD | Japanese | 14 tracks including "Sparks" bonus | 19 March 2014 | Japan |
| CD/Blu-ray/Digital | Tour Live Edition | 27 live tracks from SSE Hydro | 23 March 2015 | Worldwide |
Promotion
Singles
The lead single from Kiss Me Once was "Into the Blue", released on 27 January 2014 as a digital download worldwide, with a physical CD single following on 10 March 2014 in select markets including the UK. Written by Kelly Sheehan and Mike Del Rio, and produced by Del Rio, the track peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and received a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry for sales of 200,000 units. The accompanying music video, directed by Dawn Shadforth, depicts Minogue navigating the streets of London in a stylish, introspective narrative blending urban exploration and emotional liberation.)[29][30] "I Was Gonna Cancel" served as the second single, issued digitally on 11 May 2014 in the UK and 12 May in the United States. Co-written and produced by Pharrell Williams during sessions in Los Angeles, the upbeat disco-influenced track did not receive a traditional music video but was debuted live by Minogue on shows like The Voice UK and during promotional appearances, highlighting its playful lyrics about overcoming hesitation in romance. It achieved modest chart success, entering the UK Singles Chart at number 61.[31] "Beautiful", a duet with Enrique Iglesias, was released as a promotional single in Australia and New Zealand on 14 March 2014, coinciding with the album's release. Written by Iglesias, MNEK, and others, and produced by MNEK, the track peaked at number 47 on the ARIA Singles Chart.)[32] "Sexercize" was issued as a promotional single on 19 March 2014, accompanied by a music video directed by Cody Critcheloe and featuring multiple fan-submitted interpretations. Written by Ariel Rechtshaid, Lucky Date, and Tommy English, and produced by Rechtshaid, the song's lyrics playfully reference sexual activity as exercise.[33] "Million Miles" was released as a promotional single in select markets, including Spain on 11 June 2014, produced by Cutfather, Peter Wallevik, and Daniel Davidsen. The track, written by Chelcee Grimes and the producers, evoking themes of longing and escape, received limited radio airplay but did not chart significantly. This release helped sustain album momentum ahead of the Kiss Me Once Tour.[34][35][36]Live performances and tours
To promote Kiss Me Once, Minogue made several television appearances, including a performance of the lead single "Into the Blue" on The Voice UK during the live semi-finals on 29 March 2014, where she was a guest coach and was joined by her team of contestants for the rendition.[37] She also performed "Into the Blue" at the Echo Awards in Berlin on 27 March 2014. The primary support for the album came through the Kiss Me Once Tour, Minogue's fourteenth concert tour, which launched on 24 September 2014 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, and concluded on 28 March 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[38] The tour encompassed approximately 35 shows across Europe, Australia, and Asia, with the European leg comprising 28 dates; strong demand led to the addition of the Australian and Asian legs after the initial European itinerary was announced.[39][40] According to Pollstar's 2014 year-end rankings, the tour ranked at number 96 among worldwide tours, with the European portion grossing $17 million from 186,813 tickets sold.[41] The setlist typically featured 19 songs, mixing new tracks from Kiss Me Once such as "Into the Blue", "Sexy Love", and the title track with longstanding hits like "Spinning Around", "Can't Get You Out of My Head", and "All the Lovers".[42] A highlight was the "Dollhouse Medley", which paid homage to Minogue's early career by incorporating Stock Aitken Waterman productions including "I Should Be So Lucky", "Got to Be Certain", and "Hand on Your Heart", presented in a nostalgic, theatrical segment.[43] The tour experienced no major cancellations and was documented in the live release Kiss Me Once Live at the SSE Hydro, recorded during a Glasgow show on 12 November 2014.Reception
Critical response
Upon its release, Kiss Me Once received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who praised its energetic pop sound and select standout tracks while critiquing its reliance on familiar formulas and occasional lack of depth.[44] The album holds a Metacritic score of 66 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, indicating generally favorable reception with a balance of enthusiasm for Minogue's charisma and reservations about innovation.[44] Critics highlighted the album's vibrant energy, particularly in collaborations with producers like Pharrell Williams, whose track "I Was Gonna Cancel" was lauded for its effervescent, sci-fi-infused melody and opera-sampling flair.[8] The Guardian's Caroline Sullivan awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, describing it as a "superior brand of bubblegum" with glossy AOR elements, though "depthless" and filled with filler amid weak lyrics.[8] Rolling Stone gave it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it a "fun return" that delivers classic summer-ready singles but edges into predictable territory beyond the dance floor. NME rated the album 7 out of 10, viewing it as a "safe comeback" that proves Minogue's enduring ability to craft modern pop after 26 years, though not matching the peaks of earlier works like Fever. Common themes in the criticism positioned Kiss Me Once as solid yet not groundbreaking following Minogue's hiatus, with some drawing comparisons to the mature introspection of her 2003 album Body Language rather than bold reinvention. Positive notes frequently singled out the lead single "Into the Blue" for its catchy, empowering hooks and uplifting vibe, contributing to the record's overall portrayal as breezy, feel-good pop.[8]Commercial performance
Kiss Me Once achieved strong initial chart success in Minogue's home country of Australia, debuting at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart for the week ending 31 March 2014 and marking her first chart-topping album there since X in 2007.[45] The album also reached the top 10 in several European markets, including France (#10) and Spain (#9), while peaking at number two in the United Kingdom.[7] In the United States, it debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200, representing Minogue's first top 100 entry on the chart since X in 2008.[46] The album's first-week sales totaled 8,166 physical copies in Australia.[47] In the UK, it sold 29,251 units during its debut week to secure the number two position, with cumulative sales exceeding 85,000 copies by the end of the decade.[48] The US debut saw 12,000 units sold, reflecting modest performance in the market.[46] Globally, Kiss Me Once has accumulated over 230,000 equivalent album units as of the latest estimates.[48] Certifications for the album include gold status in the UK from the BPI for shipments of 100,000 units, gold in Australia from ARIA for 35,000 units, and gold in France from SNEP for 50,000 units.[49]Legacy
Aftermath and impact
Following the release of Kiss Me Once, Kylie Minogue's partnership with Roc Nation aimed to revitalize her presence in the United States, where she had historically struggled to achieve sustained commercial success. The album debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200, representing a modest renewal of interest in her work there, though sales quickly declined thereafter.[5][50] The project marked a transitional phase in Minogue's career, bridging her electro-pop era of the 2000s with bolder experimentation in later releases, including the country-infused Golden in 2018, which debuted at number 64 on the same chart and highlighted her willingness to evolve stylistically.[51] Retrospective coverage has positioned Kiss Me Once as a reinvigoration effort amid management changes, with Minogue later acknowledging in 2015 that the material may not have met her standards, contributing to discussions on her adaptability as a pop icon.[52] In 2024, marking the album's 10th anniversary, fan communities and media retrospectives celebrated it as a pivotal, joyful return to dance-pop energy after her orchestral The Abbey Road Sessions (2012), underscoring its role in sustaining her enduring cultural relevance.[53]Reissues and anniversary editions
In 2015, Kylie Minogue released Kiss Me Once Live at the SSE Hydro, a live album and concert film recorded during the album's supporting tour at Glasgow's SSE Hydro arena on November 12, 2014. This edition features 27 live tracks, including performances of songs from Kiss Me Once such as "Into the Blue" and "I Was Gonna Cancel," alongside selections from her earlier catalog, presented in audio CD, DVD, and Blu-ray formats by Parlophone.[28] A deluxe edition CD of Kiss Me Once was re-pressed and made available in Australia on February 1, 2024, under Parlophone (catalog 9340650019894), maintaining the original 13-track special edition content with bonus tracks "Mr. President" and "Sleeping with the Enemy." This release coincided with the album's 10th anniversary but did not include new remasters, bonus B-sides, or physical variants beyond the standard CD format.[2] On March 5, 2025, a CD reissue was released in Japan by Warner Music Japan (catalog WPCR-85111). No further anniversary editions or significant reissues, such as vinyl represses or digital bundles with unreleased material, were announced or released after that date as of November 2025.[54]Credits
Track listing
The standard edition of Kiss Me Once comprises 11 tracks, blending dance-pop and electronic elements with contributions from multiple songwriters and producers.[55][3]| No. | Title | Length | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Into the Blue | 4:08 | Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Kelly Sheehan, Mike Del Rio | Mike Del Rio, Kelly Sheehan |
| 2 | Million Miles | 3:28 | Chelcee Grimes, Daniel Davidsen, Mich Hansen, Peter Wallevik | Cutfather & Joe, Peter Wallevik |
| 3 | I Was Gonna Cancel | 3:32 | Pharrell Williams | Pharrell Williams, Kelly Sheehan |
| 4 | Sexy Love | 3:31 | Autumn Rowe, Daniel Davidsen, Mich Hansen, Peter Wallevik, Wayne Hector | Cutfather & Joe, Peter Wallevik |
| 5 | Sexercize | 2:47 | Clarence Coffee Jr., Jordan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Nella Tahrini, Sia Furler, Stefan Johnson | The Monsters and Strangerz, Kelly Sheehan |
| 6 | Feels So Good | 3:37 | Tom Aspaul | MNEK, Wayne Wilkins |
| 7 | If Only | 3:21 | Ariel Rechtshaid, Dan Nigro, Justin Raisen | Ariel Rechtshaid |
| 8 | Les Sex | 3:47 | Amanda Warner, Henri Lanz, Peter Wade Keusch, William Rappaport, Joshua Walker | Goodwill & MGI, JD Walker |
| 9 | Kiss Me Once | 3:17 | Dsign Music (Anne Judith Wik, Ronny Svendsen, Nermin Harambašić), Sia Furler | Jesse Shatkin |
| 10 | Beautiful | 3:24 | Enrique Iglesias, Mark Taylor, Alex Smith, Samuel Preston | Mark Taylor, Alex Smith |
| 11 | Fine | 3:36 | Chris Loco, Karen Poole, Kylie Minogue | Chris Loco |
Personnel
Kylie Minogue served as the lead vocalist and executive producer on Kiss Me Once, with Sia also credited as executive producer.[56] The album's management was handled by Roc Nation.[56] Vocals- Kylie Minogue – lead vocals, backing vocals[61]
- Kelly Sheehan – backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 5, 12)[56]
- Chelcee Grimes – backing vocals (track 2)[56]
- Autumn Rowe – backing vocals (track 4)[56]
- Wayne Hector – backing vocals (track 4)[61]
- Tom Aspaul – backing vocals (track 6)[56]
- Karen Poole – backing vocals (track 11)[56]
- Pharrell Williams – guitar, programming (track 3: "I Was Gonna Cancel")[3]
- Daniel Davidsen – guitar (tracks 2, 4), bass (track 4)[61]
- Peter Wallevik – all other instruments (tracks 2, 4)[56]
- Mich Hansen – percussion (tracks 2, 4)[61]
- MNEK – drums (track 6)[56]
- Jamie Muhoberac – additional keyboards (track 7)[61]
- Tommy King – additional keyboards (track 7)[61]
- Jesse Shatkin – bass, guitar, keyboards, piano, programming (track 9)[56]
- Erick Serna – guitar (track 9)[56]
- Sam Preston – guitar (track 10)[61]
- Oliver McEwan – additional bass (track 4)[61]
- Greg Kurstin – bass, keyboards, piano, programming (track 13)[56]
- Mark Taylor – keyboards, programming (track 10)[61]
- Alex Smith – keyboards, programming (track 10)[61]
- Kylie Minogue – executive producer[56]
- Sia – executive producer[56]
- Mike Del Rio – producer, programming (track 1)[61]
- Cutfather & Joe – producers (tracks 2, 4)[3]
- Pharrell Williams – producer (track 3)[3]
- The Monsters and Strangerz – producers (track 5)[61]
- MNEK – producer, vocal producer (track 6)[56]
- Wayne Wilkins – vocal producer (track 6)[56]
- Ariel Rechtshaid – producer (track 7)[61]
- Goodwill & MGI – producers (track 8)[3]
- Jesse Shatkin – producer (track 9)[56]
- Mark Taylor – producer (track 10)[61]
- Alex Smith – co-producer (track 10)[61]
- Chris Loco – producer, recording (track 11)[56]
- Greg Kurstin – producer, vocal producer (track 13)[56]
- Kelly Sheehan – vocal producer (tracks 1, 3, 5, 12)[56]
- Joe Kearns – vocal engineering (tracks 2, 4), additional engineering (track 13), vocal co-production (track 13)[56]
- Rob Kleiner – engineering (track 9)[56]
- Ren Swan – mixing, recording (track 10)[56]
- Carlos Paucar – vocal recording (track 10)[56]
- Chris Loco – recording (track 11)[56]
- Phil Tan – mixing (tracks 1–9, 11–13)[61]
- Daniela Rivera – mixing assistance (tracks 1–9, 11–13)[61]
- Geoff Pesche – mastering (Abbey Road Studios, except track 10)[62]
- Chris Gehringer – mastering (track 10, Sterling Sound)[56]
- Aaron Ahmad – additional engineering assistance (track 13)[56]
- Alex Pasco – additional engineering (track 13)[56]
- Marco Lisboa – additional programming (track 1)[56]
- William Baker – photography[62]
- Adjective Noun – design[56]